Ways to quickly organise your home

Written by Engel & Völkers on 2/10/16

From treasured furniture and vintage clothing down to sentimental trinkets, it is all too easy to accumulate possessions that clutter up your home. Periodically taking the time to organise your belongings will ensure your home reflects your changing interests and tastes. Follow these tips for a serene, clean living space.

De-clutter

The first step to reorganising your home is to clear away anything you no longer want or need – from dresses that have gone years unworn to toys that your children have outgrown. British textiles designer William Morris famously said “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”, and his words are as just as relevant today. Remove, recycle or donate items that no longer fit this criteria.

Consider storage

While displaying select items like family crests and ornate china can bring character and warmth to a room, designating storage for other possessions will keep your interior neat and spacious. Install discreet cupboards and utilise any underused spaces, such as basements and attics. Ensure everything has its own place and create order by labelling or colour-coding each section.

Kitchen designs

Intelligent, functional design is particularly important in your kitchen. Consider from the outset where every object will go, identifying zones for each activity – cooking, food preparation, socialising. Work closely with a designer to plan the right layout for your needs, storing everything close to where it will be used. If you opt for an open-plan, multifunctional space, consider whether the sight lines through to the kitchen from the entrance and living areas are clear and inviting from every angle.

Make a feature of your favourite objects

Using prized belongings and collections as shelf décor in bedrooms and studies can create intimacy and add a personal touch. Antique glass jars, jewellery boxes and votive candle-holders all work well for organising smaller items. Necklaces and bracelets hung from hooks on walls, or on pegboards fitted into vintage frames, are unusual yet elegant. Emulate a boutique look by putting a few striking accessories on show.

If you have a home office, shallow trays are useful for holding items specific to certain tasks such as letter-writing, gift-wrapping or bill-paying. With key items stored together, you'll save time and be more likely to keep up with correspondence. Trays can also be used to collect objects that may inspire you for a particular project – photographs, travel journals and menus to inform your next vacation, for example.

The perfect home is the one that suits you best. Whether you prefer minimalistic feng shui or Scandinavian serenity, Engel & Völkers can help you find a property that suits your individual tastes. We are represented in 37 countries, and our extensive portfolio features luxury homes in four continents.